Terms of SaleBid IncrementsGradingLinksContact

Sale 97: The Westpex Sale

Table of Contents

Liberia to Liechtenstein

Lot 412    

Liberia, 1845 (c.) "U.S.S. Yorktown, Monrovia, April 13th", datelined folded letter, four pages, with some interesting content including "…limited time I have spent on this coast, to have the opportunity of studying the character and customs of the "Liberian people" in public and private, in court and camp, "West End" and City. I have had the honor of dining with his Excellency the President (not at his own house - I did back out from that), but at no less august a place that the Ward-room of the Yorktown - Listened to the debates in the Senate Hall, accompanied their Army in it military expeditions - made myself agreeable to the fashionable fair; drank wine with the great Officers of States in their houses and whiskey with the General in his tent…From experiences thus gained, I have come to the conclusions following - That the Republic of Liberia is a glorious republic - That the Sovereign and that the President is - (as one of his aides one day remarked) 'the President is a great nigga'. By the way I have in my possession a note from that same officer - (who is no other than the celebrated Colonel Hicks), and which I have preserved as a curiosity…The Black Schoundrel I had never seen him but once, and as a result of that meeting had registered a passing vow, to break his shins the next time I met him (you know it is not use trying to break a negro's head or neck). The military expedition alluded to was to a place called New Cess…the quarrel was about…'that the rascals down there said the people up at Monrovia were black'. When we got down there, however, we found there was a slave factory to broken up, which with the assistance of a French Steamer they did, capturing the slave dealers and burning the towns of the Chiefs who supported them…we had the please of carrying the President with us to a place to the northward called Cape Mount…", second leaf seems to be missing; some light staining, F.-V.F., a great early U.S. Naval letter from Monrovia.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $450

Email Sale 97 - Lot 412 to a friend

Required fields are marked *

A link back to Sale 97 - Lot 412, along with its description, will be appended to your message.